Permissions Needed to Film a Commercial Business
If you’re planning a film shoot inside or anywhere near a commercial business, and your intent is to use that commercial business in your film in any capacity. You’re going to need permission. Acquiring the permissions necessary to film a commercial business is a big responsibility for a filmmaker. And the task should be taken on well enough in advance of the production to ensure there are no production delays or legal implications.
But how do filmmakers, and location managers, go about getting the appropriate permissions to film a commercial business? And what are those permissions, exactly?
Location Permits
Generally speaking, you’re going to need a location permit in order to film a commercial business.
In fact, location permits are required. Whether you’ll be filming inside, or outdoors. In virtually any case in which you will be using the footage that you acquire for any form of commercial purposes or for profit.
Filmmakers that intend to film a commercial business should work with the manager and the property owner to acquire the appropriate rights to film and to use the filmed footage for their intended purpose.
Location Release Forms
To film a commercial business, you’re going to need location release forms. Failure to secure the appropriate location release, and using the footage for any commercial intent, could lead you to a lot of potential legal issues.
It’s also important that you get the appropriate permit and release in writing, just in case there are any potential miscommunications or if for some reason that location manager or owner should change their mind after you start filming.
Anything could happen
But say you’ve got the permissions necessary to film a commercial business in writing. You’re going to be safe from any potential legal challenges that may otherwise arise.
Should the commercial business owner later decide to state that you were not allowed to film there. Or to request monetary compensation for your filming the location, or otherwise.
What’s in writing, and signed, as well as reviewed by your attorney will certainly hold up in court. Better than any verbal agreement ever would.
Other Permissions Needed
In addition to a location permit and the signed location release forms, there may be other legalities to your film production.
Just because you have the owner’s permission to film a commercial business does not mean that you have permission from each of the rights owners for the various items that are available for sale within the store.
Think about all of the different brands that are represented in a store. Consider whether your filming in the store would potentially feature any of those brands.
If so, you’re going to need written permission to use each brand in your film. And the agreements must be signed by both you and those in charge of the commercial business.
Consider also the following permissions needed to film a commercial business:
- Individual talent release forms from anyone that is working inside the business and will be filmed.
- Permits from the city or state municipality in which your crew will be performing the film shoot, especially if you’re parking on a roadway that is government owned.
- Permission from any neighboring business owners, especially if your crew might disrupt traffic or if your filmmaking could otherwise disrupt normal business operations in any capacity.
- Permission from music copyright owners if there’s any music playing in the background while filming at a commercial business.
As you can see, the permissions needed to film a commercial business vary. Largely depending on what you’ll be filming and where. Make sure you cover all of the essentials. So you don’t face any potential legal struggles later on!
